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Secular Franciscans

WHO WE ARE? Secular Franciscans are a community of Catholic men and women in the world who seek to pattern their lives after Christ in the spirit of Saint Francis. We believe that as human beings and Christians, we have such sublime vocation that we cannot fulfill it alone. In our common response to the Gospel, we work together in community toward a deep evangelical life and toward communion with all people. This is our way of life. We are NOT a club or a society. We are united in an international ORDER founded by Saint Francis of Assisi; over 750 years ago. There are approximately one thousand fraternities of Secular Franciscans scattered throughout the United States alone.

WHAT DO WE DO? We PRAY alone and together. We LEARN about Christ, the Gospels, Saint Francis, Saint Clare and ourselves. We SHARE our journeys. We live with the Gospels as our guide - reaching out to others.

HOW? Meeting on a regular basis to share our lives and our efforts to live the Gospel. Retreat together and gather our thoughts, re-direct our lives through time away. Working together to change our lives and our world.

WHY? We feel called by the Holy Spirit to follow Christ in the spirit of Franciscanism, with the support and encouragement of others who are committed to a Gospel life style. Almost 800 years ago in Assisi, a man named Francis was called by God to “Rebuild My Church”. The times were difficult, war and greed were rampant. He chose the Life of Christ (Gospels) as his guide. People began to follow him embracing his values of poverty, joy, simplicity, gratitude and love of all God’s creatures. This Franciscan Family grew to include Religious and Secular men and women. At present there are over 4 million members of our family worldwide.

The rule and life of the Secular Franciscans is this: To observe the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ by following the example of St. Francis of Assisi, who made Christ the inspiration and the center of his life with God and people. Christ, the gift of the Father’s love, is the way to him, the Truth into which the Holy Spirit leads us, and the life which he has come to give abundantly. Secular Franciscans should devote themselves especially to careful reading of the gospel, going from gospel to life to the gospel.

COME JOIN US !! Every 2nd Saturday of the Month at St. Mary’s Hanover, MA. We meet at the 10:00am Mass and then meet downstairs in the Lifehouse (lower church). We finish by 12:00 noon.

Please contact Walter Osterman at (561) 301-3150 or walter@togram.com for more information.